Salina voters back $111 million bond issue

SALINA, Kan. (AP) — An election conducted by mail has ended with voters in the Salina school district approving a $111 million bond issue.

Participation was nearly 66 percent in the mail-in balloting, which ended at noon Tuesday.

KSAL-AM reports (http://bit.ly/1mWbO3b ) that Saline County clerk Don Merriman announced shortly after deadline that roughly 8,400 ballots were cast in favor, with about 5,600 against. About 500 votes remained to be counted.

Funds from the bond issue will address numerous needs in the district, including safety and security, all-day kindergarten and career and technical education. Officials also plan improvements at both high schools in the central Kansas district and construction of storm shelters at all schools.